Specific information on relations between France and Syria or France and Iraq that might affect refugee applicants from Syria or Iraq could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB. However, attached please find several recent press reports on political and economic relations between France and Iraq, and France and Syria. Also attached are four monthly reports by the Office français de protection des réfugiés apatrides (OFPRA) in Paris which provide statistics on Iraqi refugee status claimants in France during December 1993 and October to August 1994. These documents may be of use.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find attached the list of additional sources consulted in researching this information request.

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 30 July 1994. "Foreign Minister's Visit to France." (NEXIS)

_____. 28 July 1994. "Syria's Shar'a in France Says Declaration Will not Affect Syria' Stance." (NEXIS)

Documentation-Réfugiés [Paris]. 16-29 August 1994. No. 249. "Réfugiés en France," p. 1.

The Economist [London]. 14 January 1995. "Iraq and Sanctions: France Starts to Open the Doors," pp. 41-42.

Express International [Paris]. 20 October 1994. Jacques Girardon. "Irak: Un ami envahissant," pp. 19-20.

The Jerusalem Post. 13 March 1994. "Syria Blasts France for Signing Accord with Israel." (NEXIS)

Middle East International [London]. 20 January 1995. No. 492. Robert Swann. "France and Iraq: A Separate Road," p. 7.

_____. 21 October 1994. No. 486. Robert Swann. "Economic Rivalries," pp. 7-8.

_____. 21 October 1994. No. 486. Karen Dabrowska. "The Iraqi Opposition: Falling Apart?," pp. 19-20.

_____. 15 April 1994. No. 473. Robert Swann. "France and Iraq: On the Ground Floor," p. 13.

_____. 23 July 1993. No. 455. Robert Swann. "France: Contacts with Iraq," p. 10.

_____. 21 August 1992. No. 432. Robert Swann. "France and Iraq: Oil Talk," p. 9.

Office de protection des réfugiées et apatrides (OFPRA), Paris. 10 November 1994. Activité de l'OFPRA: Statistiques du mois d'octobre 1994, pp. 1, 3.

_____. 12 October 1994. Activité de l'OFPRA: Statistiques du mois de septembre 1994, pp. 1, 3.

_____. 9 September 1994. Activité de l'OFPRA: Statistiques du mois d'août 1994, pp. 1, 3.

_____. 13 December 1993. Activité de l'OFPRA: Statistiques du mois de novembre 1993, pp. 1, 3.

Reuters. 27 July 1994. BC Cycle. "Shara Blames Israel for Mideast Violence." (NEXIS)

_____. 27 July 1994. BC Cycle. "No Stable Peace Without Syria Shara Says." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International. Country file. 1992-present.

DIRB country file. 1992-present.

International Migration Review (IMR) [New York]. Spring 1992-Fall 1994.

Middle East Report [Washington, DC]. January-February 1992-November-December 1994.